Child's Play is truly a hidden gem. We're on our 2nd child growing up in this wonderful little space. There is a big focus on outside play and creative arts/crafts and cooking (pre-Covid) that our eldest son really enjoyed and thrived within to include weekly art and dance classes for the kids. The teachers really encourage independence and creativity within the confines of a group setting of children that really learn the important early lessons of respect and appreciation for one another. Our oldest son was wonderfully prepared and ahead of kids at the Kindergarten level entering pre-K and knew how to read/write his name, count and do simple math in this program that carved out a "K-class" for the older elementary school transitioning kids. Donna, Daniel, Laurel and Lindsey are wonderful teachers and I would HIGHLY recommend this program for any parent looking for well rounded loving learning environment for their little. read more

Child's Play - Example monthly calendar - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Our kid is 5 yrs. He has been at another preschool for nearly 2 yrs. In that time, we never received any negative reports involving his behavior. We have never witnessed rage in our son. He also spent 3 days at Child's Play. In one of those days, our son wanted to go outside. He repeatedly asked but he was not permitted to step outside. His frustration grew and grew. According to Donna, he attacked a teacher at the school. I can only imagine the extreme frustration at that point. I feel that if someone or anyone had taken the time to explain or just sit with him that this would have never happened. Perhaps they were too busy?? Maybe they did not notice?? She also said he was on the spectrum?? It turns out that he was just low in English (he is bilingual) and is in fact, suffers from a bit of Einstein's Syndrome!! After a fun filled three days, we quickly got him out of there! read more

There are not enough stars to give for this place and Donna (the owner). Here are some bullet points: -It's magical -Well organized curriculum -Teaches the kids skills and helps them get ready for kinder -So much love and community -Fun -Kids love it! -It's Santa and Donna in my house that pull all the weight -Empowering -Creative! SOOO creative! -Flexible -Affordable She could charge so much more and gussy it up with fancy new things but she keeps it real and available to all! very noble in our world! -The teachers all of them they know the kids- not just their names but who they are as people Thank you child play! you have made my families transition from NYC feel stable and easier for myself and my children! I am forever grateful for all you do! I attached an example of the school calendar because if you read through that you can see how fun it is :) I almost didn't write a review because I want to keep this gem a secret- But... its well deserved. Lastly, if you are looking for a school that sugar coat its words, dotes on the parents and tries to sell them on how amazing the school is- you will not find that here. I am good with that! Childs Play is there for those kids! Donna gives it to you straight! She is REAL, HONEST, and full of KNOWLEDGE, CREATIVITY, and LOVE! She prepares them for the REAL WORLD! read more

Child's Play - sample school calendar - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We have had our older daughter in child's play for 3 years. And we are just enrolling our youngest. We are so lucky to have found such a wonderful place for our kids to go to. The things that the kids learn are amazing. Donna and her staff are exceptional and truly care for our children like their own. I am excited that I still have a few years of being apart of the child's play family and I wouldn't have my kids anywhere else-seriously. read more

Child's Play - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We Love Child's Play! My daughter has been attending Child's Play since Sept 2009 and this tiny little soulful school now feels like a member of the family. We were first drawn to the emphasis on creativity we found on the website and in talking to Donna, the owner. Then we stopped by for a visit one day and I thought, "This is IT!" As you walk past the beautiful gated gardens into the fantastic outdoor play area, it's all about eye candy and FUN! Then we stepped inside into the children's kitchen where Elizabeth was leading a raw foods demonstration, 4 tiny and happy children lined up on the bench in front of her eating vegetables!! Amelie immediately went for the animal toys in the front room where we met Donna, who was chatting with a little girl under a halo of hanging child-made butterflies and lanterns. She looked up at us and our widening eyes and said, "You must be Amelie's parents. You can sit down while she plays here". And that's how it's been... Yes, Amelie is learning a great deal and, yes, she comes home with some amazing artwork (some of which we've framed, it's so great). But, moreover, this has been an education for us as well as Amelie. How to look at your child and calmly see what she needs instead of rushing around her while she runs the show. I saw another review listed about a mother's "wild child" that Donna had helped to "smooth out the rough edges" on, and chuckled to myself. (knowing that she does it with the kids, but she also helps the parents a great deal) As it turns out, my daughter was identified as having some autism-like sensitivities within the last year. While she is intrinsically good-natured and social, she has learning and speech challenges that we feared could impede her progress in grade school. In the process of her testing and identification, many of the testing specialists that visited the school commented on Donna's approach and Amelie's rapid developmental progress. They said it was the best possible place she could be and recommended that we keep her at Child's Play- suggesting, at this rate, that there may be no visible differences between Amelie and the other children by the time she starts Kindergarten. When we enrolled her in speech camp, she seemed like the chattiest little girl there. I do not take this lightly, nor do I think this is a coincidence. When you get someone that cares for your child enough to help her meet those milestones- and you see that look in your child's eye when she knows she has accomplished something she has been trying to do for ages, you are eternally grateful. And we are. As I said, the whole Child's Play community of kids, parents, teachers and especially Donna are part of our family now and we couldn't be happier. Sincerely, Denice Dir http://tiny-whispers.blogspot.com/ read more

I also had a poor experience with the Director - after nearly a month of emails to find a day & time for a tour, I arrived and Donna had no memory of me or our emails. We waited nearly an hour for her to become free and she told me there was no space (which we discussed in email and which was the whole point of the tour, of course). The space seemed adorable and fun, the assistants were kind and attentive, but Donna made clear she wasn't interested in us. read more

I highly recommend Childs Play and Donna. The world she creates with the kids on a daily basis is just magical. She brings out the best artist and chef in ever kid- plus gets them to eat stuff they would never try at home. Donna collaborates with the kids to adapt her already amazing curriculum to the unique interests of the group. She cherishes individuals while promoting a tight knit community among the kids, bonds that continue to last long after the kids graduate from her care. We came to childplay looking for daycare and we found a community that feels like a second family, and Donna is responsible for fostering all this. Having just had one kid graduate on to kindergarten (extremely prepared I just say!) the only reason I am not heartbroken about it is because my second kid has some more time left. They day we no longer we attend Childsplay will be a sad one for sure. I will always feel grateful to Donna and her amazing staff for all the love and wisdom and magic they bestowed upon my kids each and every day. read more

Nothing Short of Magical We joined the Child's Play (CP) family in January 2014 when our oldest daughter turned two. I say "family" because that's exactly what Child's Play has become for us. We've felt so lucky to meet and connect with the teachers and families of CP. Our oldest daughter has since "graduated" to kindergarten (but still comes back for the occasional half-day) and our youngest daughter is in her second year there. Some things you'll notice when first tour the school: - Creativity seeps from every nook and cranny. Glitter, paint, straw from the play yard, and student artwork cover every inch of the CP Westside cottage. If you need a sterile institutional like environment, this is not the place for you. - Messy = Learning & Fun. It's always been our philosophy that if the kids aren't getting dirty they're probably not having fun. The CP students dig in, get their hands, hair, face, everything dirty, learn a ton and love every minute. - Donna saves it for the kids. You'll read some reviews describing Donna as "jaded" or "curmudgeonly," which makes us laugh. True - she suffers no fools and could care less about giving parents rainbow covered warm-fuzzies (you're an adult, get over it). What's also true - Donna adores and respects her students (and they respect her in return), her focus is on the health and safe development of her students, and she does it all with an air of whimsy and magic. This is the same woman who painted green footprints on her shirt and across her face to convince the kids she'd been run over by a leprechaun, who goes ALL-OUT for the annual Halloween festival, and when the kids are inspired to create something helps them execute their idea no matter how big or seemingly impossible, like turning the front room into a sloth habitat, building a huge cardboard robot monster, or creating a circus where students choreographed their own performances and organized ticket and popcorn sales. No school is perfect though - it's a little unorganized and if you have a group of parents not willing to pitch-in, it drags down the school's ability to execute on some of the bigger events like Fiesta Parade and Halloween. Additionally, the teacher turnover is high (with the exception of Daniel, who has been there for years and is the embodiment of music and fun). Every teacher at CP has been awesome, we only wish some of the really great teachers would stick around longer. That being said, this is what my children have learned during their time at Child's Play: - They were both potty-trained by 2.5. Woohoo! - How to recognize emotions and express them with words (instead of acting out). - How to navigate social situations where they might feel left out. - The importance of self-reliance (cleaning up, putting on shoes, getting your lunch out - doing lots of little things on their own). - That if they keep trying they are capable of incredible things they never thought possible. - That maybe, just maybe magic is real and all around us. We were a little concerned by the lack of formal teaching of numbers and letters, but all of that has come with time (my kindergartener is reading first grade level books already). What's been most impressive though is how Child's Play has helped teach our girls just to be kind and helpful little human beings. We will forever be grateful for being invited into the Child's Play family. read more

So, I don't post on yelp much at all. When it comes to our precious children and who is going to care for them, I feel moved and obligated to share my experience for the benefit of other parents and their children. I read previous reviews about this place on yelp. I was so excited to take a tour. This place seems creepy. The director does not seem to love what she does and definitely doesn't seem to take a parent's inquiries/needs/requests into consideration. She seems jaded and curmudgeonly. I would not feel comfortable leaving my child with this person. I did notice that teachers present seemed kind. However, the director is one of the caregivers. Apparently, I'm not the only parent who had this experience after sharing mine with other parents whom are looking for an outdoor play based preschool. Maybe this place used to be great? read more

Child's Play Creative Learning Center is hands down the best preschool in town. I myself, went to Child's Play as a kid & now my youngest just graduated from CP. It's just as magical today as it was back then. From the moment you walk in the gate, you sense the fun, hear the laughter, feel the warmth, and experience the magic & mirth of what it is to be at Child's Play. Donna has an incredible understanding of children, what their needs are, what area they could grow in and how to bring out the very best in each individual student. She has a gift. Pure and simple. She is THE child whisperer. read more

After touring 5 schools, we immediately fell in love with Child's Play! Hands down the best little preschool ever! My son has been at CP nearly 3 years, and despite moving to Ventura a year ago, we continue to drive to SB 3x a week just to attend CP....despite our searches we could not find a replacement school that could compete with the provided the same level our enrichment, creativity, and nourishment we get from CP. The enrichment activities are countless, music, dance, stretch n' grow, yoga, raw food cooking, gardening (they have corn, tomatoes, kale, tangerines, green beans...), science, recycled art, while blending core concepts such as math and reading into the curriculum using a fun-based learning approach..the kids here are eager to learn! Once inside the gate, you enter a play area that starts with a corn maze (tires used for pots), and circle through rich vegetable gardens, that then open to a world full of art, hay bales, tire swings, ball pools, sand and gravel pits, canopies with hanging hammock type cloth swings (the kids love to bundle up in them and spin!). I could not be more thankful that my son spent his first growing years at CP! I would highly recommend this school! read more

My son went to Child's Play from the time he was 2, we are so truly lucky we have a jem so close to home. It is amazing what wonderful activities and gormet food is involved on a daily basis.Dancing w/ profesional teachers,Gardening then cooking w/ what they picked, field trips, yoga, music lessons and a ton more of creative learning is just the beginning here.I am sad to say that my son will be leaving soon for Kindergarden but thankfully I have 2 more kids that get to be apart of this wonderful atmosphere.Donna is one of the most amazing people I know,every birthday party I had she made sure she attended,now that says alot right there! Sara and Daniel always are there to help with open arms.Please take the time yourself to visit this magical place yoirself.You will be amazed!!!!!!!!!! read more

This school is just plain amazing. If you're researching preschools and reading this let me assure you that there is no better, fun, safe and educational place in Santa Barbara. Hands down. My daughter has grown and blossomed so much in all areas. Music, art, cooking, behavior, speech, social interactions and first friendships. I was sold 10 seconds after walking in. Was like Narnia meets Willy Wonka. Colors are bright, rooms are set up like a kids dream and the whole place feels warm. The 'child whisper', Donna, has guided me (first time parent of only child) with daily reports of her progress, things to work on and honest approach to development. It's a major step to drop off your child for the first time. It took about 2 weeks until it was 'her' school. A place she eagerly wakes up to every morning and leads us out the door. Staff is incredible. My daughter considers them family. read more

We were very disappointed in our experience at Childs Play after having a great tour of the school twice before starting. Our first day was the complete opposite environment from the tour and we decided to withdraw our son after the first day. Donna refused to refund us properly and actually kept $500 for one day of care and took a month to give us the money. She didn't care at all that the service was so bad the first day that we wouldn't be returning. Daycare was supposed to relieve my stress and instead Donna created more and dragged the whole thing out. read more

We love this preschool! My son has been attending Child's Play for 2 years and I can't imagine a better fit for him. It's a creative, play-based, kooky and FUN learning environment and every morning he excitedly asks "if it's a school day". Everyone who is a part of this school, including the parents, are incredibly kind and welcoming. We're very much looking forward to sending our one-year-old here when she's older! read more

Childs Play was my first child care experience for my daughter so I really did my research. I wanted a play based school that focused on creativity and fun with some structure but not some stuffy cold establishment. The minute I walked into this school I knew it was the place. It was covered in art, music room, bright kitchen and tons of exploration areas in the backyard. I knew right away my daughter would love this place. After 9 months my daughter loves helping cook the morning breakfast and doing stretch and grow dance on Thursday's. She recently did her first performance and loved it. The parents seem very involved and I hope to get to know them more as we get more involved as well. Give this school a tour. Donna is great!!! read more

This is the BEST pre-k/child care school is Santa Barbara. Donna is amazing and her staff is all wonderful because she would not settle for any less! If you want your child to be safe, eat healthy, treat other with kindness, grow to be a confident person and have fun every day Child's Play is the school for you. My daughter is now 8 and she still loves to go back and visit, we cant wait to sign our son up as soon as he turns 2. read more

Child's Play is the best pre-school in town. Donna is amazing, she encourages children to think for themselves. Children at Child's Play are encouraged to eat healthy, play often, make environmentally conscious decisions and problem solve. Learning through play, art, music and dance are emphasized. My 8-year-old went to child's play for three years, and she was so sad to leave, but I look forward to signing my son up as soon as he is old enough. read more